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Page 165 - This inflicted a spell upon the witch which could only be removed by borrowing as above stated. Witches were often said to milk the cows of their neighbors. This they did by fixing a new pin in a new towel for each cow intended to be milked. This towel was hung over her own door, and by means of certain incantations, the milk was extracted from the fringes of the towel after the manner of milking a cow. This happened when the cows were too poor to give much milk.

Page 165 - Diseases which could neither be accounted for nor cured, were usually ascribed to some supernatural agency of a malignant kind. For the cure of the diseases inflicted by witchcraft, the picture of the supposed witch was drawn on a stump or piece of board, and shot at with a bullet containing a little bit of silver. This bullet transferred a painful and sometimes a mortal spell on that part of the witch corresponding with the part of the portrait struck by the bullet.

Page 165 - The diseases of children, supposed to be inflicted by witchcraft, were those of internal dropsy of the brain and the rickets. The symptoms and cure of these destructive diseases, were utterly unknown in former times in this country. Diseases which neither could be accounted for nor cured, were usually ascribed to some supernatural agency of a malignant kind.

Page 63 - Hum! hum!" said the stranger with his former smile, "I was not wrong in declaring you a republican — but that's no matter. What care we for kings or "nobles in the wilds here? Here's the river." And with these laconic words the huntsman pushed his horse into the water ; and, half fording, half swimming, soon reached the opposite bank. George was there as quickly, and they again set forward— soon issuing from the forest into the waving prairie, whose myriads of brilliant flowers were glittering...

Page 165 - ... settlers of the western country. To the witch was ascribed the tremendous power of inflicting strange and incurable diseases, particularly on children; of destroying cattle by shooting them with hair balls, and a great variety of other means of destruction ; of inflicting spells and curses on guns and other things ; and lastly of changing men into horses, and after bridling and saddling them, riding them at full speed over hill and dale, to their frolics and other places of rendezvous.

Page 63 - ... Come, say now, my chance friend — is not all this proper ? Should not the lion rule the forest — the eagle the air? Should not the beautiful tigers and cougars be above foxes — hyenas ?" "Oh, assuredly!" said George, "but kings and nobles are not lions or eagles always — great lords are very often foxes I have heard. And tell me, is it just, sir, that because the fox bites the heel of the huntsman, as in the fable, and saves the life of the lion — is it just that the lion should declare...

Page 65 - Argal," said the hunter, with grave courtesy, " and honor my poor house with your presence." "Lord Fairfax!" exclaimed George, "I might have known that you were Lord Fairfax— but my mind was busy with other thoughts !" And something like a blush came to the cheeks of the boy The Earl smiled, and pressing the young man's hand, said in a friendly tone : " I am glad you did not know me — had you recognized one of those ' foxes ' you spoke of, you would have expressed yourself, perhaps, less honestly.

Page 165 - The belief in witchcraft was prevalent among the early settlers of the western country. To the witch was ascribed the tremendous power of inflicting strange and incurable diseases, particularly on children, of destroying cattle by shooting them with hair balls, and a great variety of other means of destruction, of inflicting spells and curses on guns and other things, and lastly of changing men into...

Page 65 - Some distance," returned the huntsman. coolly, "but the path is well beaten." And with a courteous but cold inclination to the young lady, he set forward, followed by the party. The sun ran in a stream of rich purple light across the hills , and far away beyond the mountains ; the golden cloud ships slowly floated off into the distance and were lost : and as the shades of night descended and the stars came out, they reached the old mansion of Greenway. The tall huntsman tied his bridle to the bough...

Page 307 - ... dumb animals. After these atrocities they moved off with forty-eight prisoners; among whom were Mrs. Painter, five of her daughters, and one of her sons; a Mrs. Smith and several of her children; a Mr. Fisher and several of his children, among them a lad of twelve or thirteen years old, a fine well grown boy, and remarkably fleshy.